St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-04-21
THE SHELF IN THE ATTIC.
Goldesl RuEe.

THE SHELF IN THE ATTIC.
Golden Rule.
When Kate Holden entered the sit
ting-ToOm to greet stylish caller, a
glance revealed the disorderly condi-
ton of the room that had been made
tidy by her own hands but few hours
before. Poor Kate could not conceal
her annoyance, and the cloud that rest
ed upon her usually sunny face deep
ened as she parted from her friend and
returned to her mothers room. 1t was
not new trial Kate's wisdom and
patience had been sorely taxed during
the prOtracted illness of her mother /;
and the five active children, missing
the mothers restraining hand, were
rapidly getting beyond her control.
Mrs. Holden listened patiently to
Kate's oft repeated story of thought
lessness OH the part of the children,
and realized that something must be
done to assist her in enforcing habits
of order. Kate's ingenuity soon de-
velOped a plan, and the decree went
forth that all mislad articles would
be speedily transferred to a certain
broad shelf in the attic, from which
none but the owner might remove
them. The novelty of the plan inter
ested the children, while father, Kate
and even Bridget, promised to submit
to its conditions; and Kate, sanguine
of success, made haste to appoint a
place for everything, and to put every
thing in its appropriate place.
For few days, order reigned in the
hOuse. Mary's dolls were carefully re-
turned to their drawer, the boys hats
were hung upon their allotted pegs,
Jennie's aprons and ribbons we're no
longer sOwn broadcast throughout the
house, and even little Charities blocks
and toys were carefully guarded from
threatened exile. But careless habits
had too long prevailed to be overcome
at once. and the first rainy day sent Il
waterproof and an umbrella to the
broad shelf The same evening, as the
children gathered about the table to
prepare lessons, Harry's books could
\ not be found.
\ F'Where did you leave them 2" asked
lone.
"I know where you will find them,"
said Jenny and, amid peals of laugh
ter, Harry, with more than necessary
energy, assembled the attic stairs. This
was IL valuable reminder to the other
children, bnt soon Mary's dolls disap-
peared from the sofa !; Jennie's paint
box from the dining-table 1; even Char
ley's soldiers exchanged their camping
ground in mammals room for the great
er seclusiOn of the broad shelf i'll the
attic. The children usually submitted
cheerfully. Jennie sometimes pettish
ly complained of the Inconvenience OF
II dressing room at the top of the
house, and John, when time pressed,
preferred to do without cuffs and
gloves;
evening, as she timidly entered the
dusky room in search of her compost
tiOn-bOOk "but if we can only catch
Kate I'll not complain"
An opportunity occurred at length
Kate, preparing for Il drive, sought i'll
vain for her nun. She hurried from
closet to drawer in search of the miss
ing article that no one had seen, while
her escort restrained the impatient
horses at the gate.
"Charley must have taken it," she
said, fretfully, and finding him in the
kitchen, she repeated her question.
"Yes," said the little rogue, 81 found
it on mammals bed, and Bridget and
pntted it away on the attic shelf, where
she found my blocks"
Bridget suddenly disappeared and
Kate, followed 10y the children's shouts
of triumph, sought the attic shelf.
Mr.. HOlden's turn came at last.
"Childrem," he asked hurriedly, one
morning, "have any of yOu seen my
driving gloves 7"
eyes, papa, DEAR" replied Mary,
sweetly Il saw them last night in the
attic on the broad shelf"
look of establishment, not unmingl
n1 with fliSnlnn messed hi
face us he repeated, "In the attic 7"
Mary saw the half-frightened looks
of the children, the cloud upon her
fathers face and, fearing she had ven
tured too far, quickly sprang up, say
ing: Forgive me, papa. I'll go and
get them"
"No, no." said Mr.. Holden, 81 had
quite forgotten the new law but if !
have broken it, III pay the penalty"
AS his heavy steps assembled the stairs,
the repressed mirth gave way to merry
laughter in which he heartily Joined.
Quiet was scarcely restored when Bird
get was heard anXi0usly inquirng for
a lost broom.
you'll find it on the broad shelf in
the attic, shouted Harry, "the piazza
is not proper place for broom"
Bridget also mounted the stairs.
"She's the very last" said Jennie.
"It's doing us lots of good, and don't
mind going every day for the fun of
seeing others GO"
She did not go every day, however,
for orderly habits were becoming fixed
in the Holden family. Kate's tasks
were greatly lightened, and when Mrs.
Holden was able to resume her place
in the family, she found the law, like
many another, unnecessary, because
seldom transgressed.
There are many houses in which just
such II museum of curiosities might,
with advantage, be established.